Year 2: The Gathering Fires - Chapter 7

Tonight, the Themis Resurrection Rebellion was to begin.

Designed by Princess Aeila and Bartholomew, leader of the Banners of Themis, the plan was divided into several stages that required great skill and a lot of luck to pull off successfully.

First, the Banners stationed in the Dread Town would set buildings ablaze in every corner of the city, drawing the attention of the guards and civilians to the fires. Then, the Banners inside the Dread Keep would rush to the dormitories where the abducted men and women were staying and arm them, or just help them escape into the night.

As this was happening, Dame Chelsea, Aeila and Hector, with the help of Willa, would sneak into the Empress’s bed chambers and hold her hostage, hoping that their actions would draw the Demon Emperor and his generals to them, allowing the other phases of the plan to proceed much faster. Finally, with the keep and castle town in disarray, the Banners of Themis would set fire to as much of the place as possible before running into the night with the rescued hostages.

If they succeeded, the Banners would gain fame, recognition and the grateful support of the hostages, many of whom they hoped would take up arms and join their cause. Likewise, their victory might inspire other rebellions across the Demon Empire. If Aeila saw from the Empress’s bedroom that the Banners had escaped, then she intended to kill the Empress before taking her own life.

“Our escape is impossible,” she told Dame Chelsea and Hector. “However, this will be the start of the return of the Holy Empire of Themis. I’m willing to die for that; what about you two?”

They both nodded.

Even Willa, who had been told later that they would most likely die in this rebellion, said she was ready to give her life for the greater good.

The Banners had been greatly upset by Aeila’s decision, but they acknowledged her resolve and promised to bring her victory, even if she would not be there to see it.

Anxiously, Aeila stood by her bedroom window, her brother and loyal knight behind her, fully dressed and armed.

Together, they waited in the moonlight for the signal - the rising flames and the ringing alarm bells they’d bring.

It was an agonisingly long time before they saw the first fires.

“Let’s go.”

***

The fires spread quickly thanks to the dried weeds and sticks the Banners had smuggled into the city.

Bells rang as cries sounded down the streets, calling for water and aid. The skeletons and Machai in the city were the first to respond and organise the rescue and fire extinguishing operations; then, came the Hysminai and Gørviligr.

“Don’t stop now, lads, keep going,” the man told his fellow rebels. Armed with torches and bottles of alcohol, they split up into smaller groups and weaved through the back alleys towards their next destinations.

***

“What’s happening?”

“There’s been a few fires in the Dread Town.”

“Oh dear! I hope no one’s hurt.”

Once the Banners inside the Dread Keep’s cellars heard the news from passing servants and soldiers, they emerged from their barrels and crates. Swords drawn and cloaks donned, they snuck through the castle, dispatching skeletons and tying up unsuspecting servants.

“We’ll free you once we’re done,” Curtis assured a butler as he gagged the man. “Just stay here for now.”

“Curtis, hurry.”

“I’m coming, Bill!”

Get to the dormitories, rescue Lisa and the others, and escape - that’s what we have to do!

***

“Princess, over here,” Willa ushered her, Chelsea and Hector over before holding a finger to her lips. When Hector took a step closer, Willa took three backwards.

“How’s the route looking?”

“…It should be clear, I think.” Willa took shelter behind Dame Chelsea, upsetting Hector a little. “I don’t know if the Demon Emperor would send Dread Knights to her side or not.”

“If he does, then this plan’s finished,” Chelsea said. “Willa, led on and quickly.”

The maid nodded and led them on through the many long corridors of the Dread Keep. Whenever the enemy drew too close, they hid and waited for them to pass; the last thing they needed now was to be discovered and their plan exposed.

As they moved, Chelsea was going through the path to the empress’s chambers in her head, making sure that Willa was following the right path.

I trust her, but not enough to bet my life on her. Not only that. She stared daggers at the girl’s back, but Willa did not notice. We don’t know for sure if she’s with us. The empress rescued her from those goblins, but that doesn’t mean she’s loyal to the Demon Emperor either.

It’s always good to be careful.

“Who was the idiot who let this happen?!”

The four figures stiffened up and pressed themselves tightly up against the walls, hoping that the low light and shadows would hide them as Lady Mania stormed down an adjacent corridor.

“Commander Hersi, my lady, but-”

“There are no excuses for this type of behaviour,” Mania told the elf. “Bring him to the throne room when we’re done. Until then, you have your orders. Go!”

“R-right!”

The elf stormed off shortly before Mania angrily walked away, cursing beneath her breath.

“…Either she’s an excellent actress or our plan has worked better than we’d hoped,” Hector mumbled.

“Whatever the case, it doesn’t change what we have to do. Come on.”

Aeila’ urged them onwards, though Chelsea did spare a passing glance out the windows occasionally as they walked, and took a small delight in seeing the fires at the Dread Town.

Serves you right.

***

“Ivy!”

“Lisa, it’s okay - grab the table and chairs, and put them up against the door!”

Monika and Lisa did as instructed, though the latter was so scared her hands were shaking.

The fires were far away from them, but the sounds of fighting were not.

With each moment, they drew closer as swords clashed, blood was spilt and cries of agony rang out.

“What’s going on?!”

“I don’t know, Monika, okay?! But it’s better to be safe than sorry. That’s why.” Ivy walked over to her bed and pulled a short sword out from beneath the mattress. “I have this.”

“W-why do you have that?”

“That’s not important, Lisa. What’s important is that we don’t even know who’s fighting out there. It could be a rescue for us or-”

“Monika, if it is, then they’re bloody fools.” Ivy’s flat tone shocked her friends. “The Demon Emperor was quite clear what would happen to you and your families if people tried to free the tributes. I swear, if you hear the sounds of your loved ones out there, beg them to go away.”

***

Until recently, Curtis had never swung a sword before.

As a child, he’d pretended like any boy his age with sticks or logs, but real swords were much heavier than he’d expected. They were also more terrifying to him, as the clanging of steel against each other unnerved him.

A single strike could end someone or render them unable to live a normal life.

Even during mock battles, Curtis hated fighting for he was scared of taking another’s life.

Thankfully, so far, all he’d fought were skeletons. They were more heavily armed than he and his brothers-in-arms, but they had the element of surprise and they fought in small groups, not alone.

However.

Bill grunted heavily as a spear pierced his side. Curtis quickly cut the skeleton clean in two, but the damage to Bill had already been done.

“Forget me, lad, and get them out of here!”

“Don’t be stupid, Bill! We’re all-!”

The older man grabbed his collar roughly. “Curt. A spear.” Blood trickled down Bill’s lips. “Is in my stomach. That hole ain’t going to be filled anytime soon…and we both know what that means. So, focus on what matters. Don’t let all our sacrifices be in vain!”

The battle inside the Dread Keep had been far from easy.

A third of the Banners had lost their lives or been too wounded to bring with them. The rest, including Curtis, had light injuries or wounds, and were exhausted. Had they not been in the heat of battle, they would have crashed; they couldn’t afford to do that until the adrenaline had worn off once they were all safe.

“…I’ll look after Monika, I promise.”

“Lay a hand on her, and I’ll come back and haunt you for the rest of your fucking life.”

Curtis smiled a little, before firmly grasping Bill’s hand; then, once they’d said their final goodbyes, Curtis moved forwards towards the women’s dormitories.

***

“Willat, we’re here to-!” The Banners halted once they were inside Willat’s house. The lights were out and the air was still. “Willat? Willat!”

“Idiot, don’t yell!”

“Don’t yell back then!”

“Both of you, shut it. Where’s the bugger at?”

“I’m afraid.” The woman’s voice immediately made them draw their weapons, as the world illuminated around them. “He’s not here.”

Candles, chandeliers and lamps turned on across the house, revealing a Dread Knight with two hook swords in her hands.

“…Shit.” The female rebel at the front stepped forward, brandishing her mace. “Out of all the luck in the world, it had to be one of the five.”

“I’m surprised you know of us,” Una said, slowly walking towards the rebel.

“…Yeah, well.” The woman forced a grin onto her face. “Guess I’ll die trying to make a difference!”

Una raised one of her swords. “A better fate than most rebels receive.”

***

Across the Dread Town, all of the fires were instantly extinguished.

In a single instance, water magic silenced the roaring infernos, leaving the Banners confused and petrified. Those feelings only intensified when they looked to the Dread Town’s outskirts and saw them - hundreds of Dread Knights in a circle, completely trapping the rebels within.

“To the fools who dared to scorch the Jewel of the Empire, I say this!” A booming voice called. “Surrender or death - those are your only two options. Choose before we reach you.”

In perfect synchronisation, the Dread Knights marched forward.

***

Curtis’s hand never reached the first door to the women’s dormitory.

First, he heard the sickening sounds of scuttling from all around him.

Then, he heard the tapping of daggers against the rocks.

And then, as his eyes turned upwards, he saw them; the feral creatures decorated in painted feathers, armed with primitive looking blades and with long, beak-like noses and jaws.

With a hideous screech, one leapt down at him, pining him to the floor, stabbing him through both his wrists at once. Curtis screamed out in pain as the creatures lowered its snarling face towards his, drool and snot flowing from its face, covering his in disgusting, putrid smelling fluids.

“Help me!” He cried, but it was futile.

The creatures had descended upon all his other comrades in similar ways.

They were a weapon the Demon Emperor had yet to show, the Neikea - the black-feathered demons who fought without discipline and with great anger.

Their feathers had been painted the colours of the Dread Keep after the Demon Emperor learnt of the Themis Resurrection Rebellion, all for this moment, to bring about a quick and terrifying, and despair-filled, end to the Banners.

***

“…Something’s wrong.”

“You sensed it too, Willa?”

The maid nodded at Chelsea’s question. “It’s gone too quiet.”

“You don’t think-?”

“Shush.” Hector put a hand over his sister’s mouth as heavy footsteps approached. “Willa, is there another way?”

“Y-yes, but it’s dangerous and-”

“There’s no time, lead on,” Hector insisted.

Willa nodded and hurried off with the others shortly behind her. The footsteps continued to close in, but they were still, thankfully, not too close.

I tried to study multiple routes to the empress’s chambers in case something like this happened, but I don’t remember taking this route, Chelsea thought. She looked around as they moved, but was confused. Actually, I don’t recognise this part of the castle. Where was this-? Wait, no, I know where this is.

“Through here,” Willa gestured them to go through the door.

Hector and Aeila went through first, but Chelsea stopped at the doorway when she realised what had happened.

“Willa, you-!”

“I’m sorry!” The maid gave Chelsea a powerful shove, before quickly pulling the door to and locking it from behind, trapping them outside in the courtyard.

Furious at her betrayal, Chelsea turned and smashed the door with her fists and shoulder, cursing at Willa, but the door would not budge.

Then, she slowly turned around and saw the sight that had made the royal siblings freeze up in fear.

“Oh, good evening.”

Standing in the moonlit courtyard, surrounded by corpses and terrified survivors, was a woman holding a great halberd.

Her smile was a calming as the smile across her lips, but it did anything but soothe the agony in Aeila’s heart.

She was wearing a soft, gentle-blue hanfu with a regal crown of jewels and pins in her long, black hair.

Her lips were a bright shade of pink like her cheeks, but her reptile-like eyes were a crimson red and her skin was ghostly white.

The steel halberd had two axe-like blades at its tip with a red ribbon tied at the spike in between them. Even Aeila could tell that it wasn’t a weapon someone with such a slender frame and thin arms could wield with ease, yet the scene surrounding the woman begged to differ.

“…Who are you?”

“Oh, how rude of me to not introduce myself,” the woman said, planting her mighty weapon into the ground. She bowed to them. “I am the Demon Emperor’s newest servant, Xi Shi - a pleasure to formally meet you, Princess Aeila, Dame Chelsea.”

***

In ancient Chinese history and legends, there were four women who stood above all others.

Diaochan, the woman who brought about Dong Zhou’s demise.

Yang Guifei, the consort who rose to become chancellor.

Wang Zhaojun, a bride whose musical skills were so enchanting to geese that they forgot to flap their wings and fell to their deaths.

Finally, there was Xi Shi, a woman whose beauty captivated all, whether man or animal.

These women, the Four Beauties, were legendary for not just their physical beauty, but for their strength of character and the charm they had over all that behold them.

In the eyes of a lover, Xi Shi appears. That ancient Chinese proverb had surfaced in David’s mind when he’d read the tablet Loki had presented him.

Xi Shi - Four Blessings of the Ancient East.

Xi Shi sinks fish,

Wang Zhaojun entices birds into falling,

Diaochan eclipses the moon,

Yang Guifei shames flowers.

David knew that Xi Shi was one of the Four Beauties of China and he wouldn’t have picked her normally, had Loki’s other two tablets been anyone else.

After all, Xi Shi was not known for being a strong warrior.

Yet.

Eris had assured him of her strength and Xi Shi had proven it to him now a few times.

She is not just Xi Shi, but all Four Beauties in one, hence the title - or, so it would seem at least. David frowned. She might be the most dangerous person inside this castle other than me.

***

“‘Formally’?” Chelsea repeated.

“I must admit, watching the two of you struggle fruitlessly was quite a beautiful display to behold, however.” Xi Shi’s smile changed ever so subtly, sending shivers down the spines of all those present. “I’m afraid that your grand play must come to a close.”

“You bi-!”

Chelsea didn’t even get to draw her sword.

“That won’t do.” Xi Shi’s halberd gently tapped the top of Chelsea’s hand long before it even reached her sword’s hilt.

I didn’t even see her move!

“I take it you understand what this means, Dame Chelsea.” The knight clicked her tongue. “Don’t worry, your lives are not forfeit. However.” Xi Shi’s eyes wandered over to Aeila. “The lives of your rebel friends depend on you from here on out, dear princess.”

“…Do you think I will simply bend the knee before the tyrant who murdered my parents?”

“No, but his majesty does have ways of winning people over, doesn’t he, Hector?”

“Wh-?”

Before Aeila could turn around, Hector had her in a choke hold and was suffocating her.

“Princess!”

“Move and she dies,” Hector coldly said; he blinked and his eyes turned a deep purple colour. “I’d rather not kill you both.”

“…When did they…do it?”

Hector smiled a little sadly, loosening his grip on his sister as she lost consciousness. “Not too long after the Divine Paladin, Chelsea. For what it’s worth, I did want you both to come to your senses before we reached this point; sadly, you wouldn’t listen.”

“My prin-”

A blow from Xi Shi’s halberd knocked the knight unconscious.

***

“Lilith!”

“A-Allaric, come on.” The empress giggled at the Demon Emperor’s embrace. “There’s no need to be so panicked. We both knew what would happen.”

“…Even then, the thought that something might go wrong and something could happen to you worried me.”

“Allaric.” She cupped his cheek and kissed his lips gently. “Thank you, but don’t be silly - even if something had gone wrong somehow, I would’ve handled it. Have faith in your wife’s strength.”

“I already do.” He broke their embrace and then turned to the third person in the room, the one kneeling near his throne. “Make sure to pass on my gratitude and sentiments to your sister when you next see her, Willat.”

“I will, your majesty.” Willat lifted his face a little. His expression was stern and his body showed no signs of fear or remorse, a rarity for those who had turned to David before. “Anything I can do to repay you and the empress’s kindness.”

***

The Themis Resurrection Rebellion ended in a single hour in the heart of the Demon Empire.

The Banners of Themis had failed, even though they had initially managed to rescue some tributes from the Dread Keep’s dormitories. However, they had all been captured or killed by the Neikea or Xi Shi, the Demon Emperor’s latest, terrifying underling.

News rapidly spread throughout the east and, as it did, so did more attacks upon rebel bases and groups in the south-east. With brutal efficiency, Mímir and his Ravens finally eliminated all the remaining remnants of rebellion within the south of the Demon Empire as the iron fist’s grip upon Aangapea grew tighter.